VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
April 3rd, 2023
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, April 3rd, 2023.
Village President Shane Trott presided and called to order the meeting at the Village Hall facility at 7:00 p.m. Board members present were Galen Brainerd, Darlene Wundrow, Kim Grasley, Jim Johnson and Mark Zimmer. Clerk/Treasurer Jessica Hayes attended also.
– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to approve the March 6th, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT: Casey Gudis attended the meeting to report to the Board that the remaining murals for the first location site have been picked up and installed.
The crew has begun cleaning up in the park from the damage from the winter. There are approximately 40-45 trees that will need to come down this spring/summer. The dugout at the baseball field has collapsed and needs rebuilt as well as some damage to the back stop. Gudis was informed by the Bruce School that Earth Day is set for May 12th and they would like to help with some of the clean-up during their annual event.
Regarding the sewer main replacement on E. Arthur/S. Main Street, the crew had to dig part of the line up due to another home being clogged. This is just a temporary fix. The main replacement is expected to be completed this summer.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Mick Benik – Spectrum Rep. – Installation of Internet in Library: Mick Benik introduced himself to the Board. Spectrum received a work order to supply fiber internet to the Bruce Library. Installation would involve drilling a hole in to the building. Construction did begin but was halted due to lack of permission to access the building by the Board. The Library’s internet is currently through BadgerNet which almost all Library’s in Wisconsin use. AT&T is going to be the new supplier now and Spectrum is doing the work for them. A port was located in the back furnace room so drilling in to the building would not be necessary. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to approve Spectrum to do the work, carried.
Colleen Wallace – Additional Handicap Parking: Colleen Wallace attended the meeting and asked if the Board would consider moving the handicap parking spot closer to the sidewalk and installing an additional handicap parking space in the Village parking lot. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to approve her requests and complete the work, carried.
APPLICATIONS:
Operator’s License: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve an Operator’s License to Jason A. M. Frey, carried.
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Johnson to approve an Operator’s License to Freida K. Smith, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Utility:
Committee Meeting March 30th, 2023 Report/Minutes: A utility committee meeting was held on March 30th, 2023 to discuss the sewer rate increase along with the sewer main replacement on . Arthur Ave./ S. Main Street and the mapping software for the Village’s curb stops, manholes, etc.
Regarding the sewer rate increase, the committee recommends moving forward with a rate study that would be conducted by the Village’s auditors. The last sewer rate increase was in 2013 and at that time was 142%. The committee is also recommending revising the sewer use ordinance along with the user charge schedule.
Regarding the mapping, he Village of Winter is in the process of getting mapping of their manholes, curb stops, valves, etc. completed by Morgan & Parmley and the committee recommends that once Winter is completed that the crew visit and see how the system would work before we move forward with the item. Morgan & Parmley will start that work in the Spring.
Regarding the sewer main replacement, the committee recommends moving ahead with Morgan & Parmley surveying and sending plans to the DNR for approval of the sewer line replacement. The Village is thinking of ordering their own materials and talking to local contractors for the work.
Sewer Rate Increase: The Village will proceed with a rate study that will be conducted by Clifton Larson Allen., the Village’s auditors. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Sewer Rate Increase’ issue until the May, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Sewer Main Replacement on East Arthur /S. Main St.: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve the committees recommendations from the March 30th, 2023 Utility Committee Meeting, carried. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Wundrow to table the ‘Sewer Main Replacement on East Arthur /S. Main St.’ issue until the May, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Public Works:
Veteran’s Memorial Park Site: The remaining of the murals have been installed at the first location site. Trott reported that he has spoken with Derick Ewald about his idea he approached the Board about for his Eagle Scout project. He would like to meet with the committee to share his plans. A meeting will be scheduled for later this month. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Brainerd to table the ‘Veteran’s Memorial Park Site’ issue until the May, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
North Main Street Reconstruction Project: Nothing new to report this month.
-DISCUSSION AND ACTION-
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Wundrow to table the ‘North Main Street Reconstruction Project’ item until the May, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Water Filtration Project – Corrective Work on Village Wells & River Avenue: A pre-construction meeting is scheduled for April 18th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. At that time, we will know a start date for construction.
-DISCUSSION & ACTION-
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Water Filtration Project-Corrective Work on Village Wells and River Avenue’ item until the May, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Morgan & Parmley, Ltd. – Invoice Payment Approval: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to approve paying an invoice in the amount of $23,436.60 to Morgan & Parmley, Ltd. for work completed on the Water Filtration Project through March 15th, 2023, carried.
Public Welfare:
Committee Meeting March 1st, 2023 Report: A committee meeting was held on March 1st, 2023 to discuss the Park Concession Stand Item. The committee is recommending the following:
– Charging the Tony Hayshakers a rental fee to use the field and concession stand, this would be the fee for a regular rental fee of the pavilion ($75.00)
– Having the School be responsible for field upkeep starting April 1st through the end of June or end of season, including mowing, paint, lime and gravel, etc. The Village would not be responsible for field upkeep during those months.
– Village will keep paying for the utilities as they are currently
– The School would be responsible for water sprinkler maintenance
– Buildings and fence upkeep would be the Village’s responsibility
– Would need to discuss the upkeep/replacement of the scoreboards with the School
– During school functions, and during their ‘lease’ period (April 1st thru June 30th) the park is considered school property and WIAA Regulations would need to be followed
– The Booster Club has use of the concession stands during the School lease period
– All locks on all buildings for the park would all need to be replaced and all keyed alike, keys would need to be checked out at the Village Hall upon approval by the Village President. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Brainerd to table the item and discuss it further at a committee meeting, carried.
Committee Meeting March 15th, 2023 Report: A committee meeting was held on March 15th, 2023 to discuss the Park Concession Stand Item further. The committee is recommending the following:
–Charging the Lion’s Club, along with any other clubs that hold events at the park, a $100 a day fee. This would be to cover all costs incurred by the Village such as electricity, water, supplies, etc.
The committee is also recommending having said clubs sign a contract & holds harmless with the Village for the weekend of the events being held, that states if anything would be damaged or broken or anyone hurt, that the Village would not be responsible for the damages. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to table the item and discuss it further at a committee meeting, carried.
Bruce Park Concession Stand Discussion: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Bruce Park Concession Stand Discussion” item until the May, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Library Internet Installation Approval: The item was approved earlier in the meeting under petitioners/citizen complaints and requests. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Zimmer to remove the item from the agenda, carried.
Administration:
Committee Meeting March 24th, 2023 Report/Minutes: A committee meeting was held on March 24th, 2023 to discuss the Deputy/Clerk position. A meeting was held originally on February 28th, 2023 and after discussion with the employee, the committee is making adjustments to the original recommendations. The committee is recommending the following be adjusted:
– Giving the employee back all sick and vacation time that was earned. 49 vacation hours and 132 sick hours. Time would need to be used before year end and then at the beginning of the new year, 2024, the employee will only receive 40 PTO/Comp hours.
– Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will stay the same. Tuesdays and Thursdays worked would be paid for additional days worked
– Holiday pay will be paid for scheduled work days that the holiday falls on, Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
– Committee wants the employee to learn payroll and be proficient with it.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve the committees recommendations from the March 24th, 2023 meeting, carried.
Revision of Deputy Clerk Position and Potential Modifications to FTO’s: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to remove the item from the agenda, carried.
Committee Meeting March 30th, 2023 Report: A committee meeting was held on March 30th, 2023 to review the 14 applications that were submitted for the maintenance worker position. The committee will schedule interviews with John Runstrom, Josh Kopras and Kyle Gartska. This is an informational report.
Finance:
Rusk County Sheriff’s Department Contract Discussion & Action: Nothing new to report this month. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Beebe to table the ‘Rusk County Sheriff’s Department Contract Discussion & Action’ item until the April, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Ambulance Garage Building Discussion & Action: Trott reported that a meeting is scheduled for April 5th, 2023 to discuss the item with the City of Ladysmith, Sheldon & Hawkins.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to table the ‘Ambulance Garage Building Discussion & Action’ item until the May, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $57,288.01, carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Spring Election – April 4th, 2023: Polls open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Village residents may vote at the Village Hall, 100 W. River Avenue, Bruce, WI 54819.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 7:30 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer